During the retreat I shared some of the things that God has put on my heart about BTBAB. Several years ago, I went to a ladies’ conference and the preacher talked about the sound of abundant rain coming from 1 Kings 18:41-46; for me it was a water shed word. I suddenly saw the rain was coming in my life. Elijah saw the rain before it came in his spirit and cried out to God for the rain to fall. When we see or hear God speak about future things our first action is to ask Him to confirm what has been said. As we hold onto the dreams/vision He has given us, we need to pray and ask Him for wisdom because…
“The vision awaits an appointed time, it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it tarries wait for it, for it will surely come to pass.” (Habakkuk 2:3.
When I pray about BTBAB I see lots of families, older people and younger getting involved, some will be full time and others will volunteer, whilst still working. They will go to the developing world and see the cycle of poverty broken. I know that the UK is a pattern for other nations where people can gather and see BTBAB working out into the developing world, ordinary people doing extraordinary things with God. As I contemplate these things and look at where we are now it seems too big or impossible. But going back to 1 Kings 18 the servant went out 6 times and saw nothing, but Elijah still prayed, then on the 7th time the answer broke out, the rain came, and Elijah ran. I pray that we will be ready to run when the time is right. I don’t want to build an empire, I am more interested in developing individuals to their full potential, seeing them free enough to run when the rain starts coming.
We must remain true to our DNA and mandate which is written below:
- To reverse poverty, not relieve poverty,
- To model discipleship in Leadership – 3 levels of people, above, alongside, and below.
- We invest in people, not projects.
- Not broke to be a burden – we don’t borrow money for God.
- The single greatest expression of God is the local church.
- We are faith based, not needs-based.
- We seek God’s face, not His hands.
We need to stay true to our roots and to what God has spoken to us. As we do this, He causes the rain to come and aids us to finish the race marked out for us.
